Pink Pigeon
Encyclopedia
The Pink Pigeon, Columba (formerly Nesoenas) mayeri, is a species of Columbidae (doves and pigeons) endemic
to Mauritius
, and is now very rare. It was on the brink of extinction in 1991 when only 10 individuals remained, but its numbers have increased due to the efforts of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
since 1977. The book Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons by Gerald Durrell
refers to the conservation efforts. The IUCN downlisted the species from critically endangered to endangered on the IUCN Red List
in 2006. Mauritius
has a series of stamps depicting the endemic Pink Pigeon.
Newly hatched pigeons have sparse, downy-white feathers and closed eyes.
. Recent DNA analyses suggests its nearest neighbour on the phylogenetic tree is the geographically close Madagascar Turtle Dove (Streptopelia picturata), and has thus been placed in the Streptopelia
genus, which mostly contains turtle doves. However, the two species form a distinct group that cannot unequivocally be assigned to either Streptopelia or Columba, and indeed, placing the two species in Nesoenas may best reflect the fact that they seem to belong to a distinct evolutionary lineage (Johnson et al., 2001).
, a related form
having become extinct in the neighbouring larger Reunion Island.
On Mauritius
, it is found in patches of forest in the National Park region of the southwest, as well on Ile aux Aigrettes, a nature reserve off the southeast coast of Mauritius
. Further plans for released populations in the east coast mountains are under way.
or privet. Destruction of these forests have been a major reason for its decline.
pose a threat to it by preventing growth of native trees. It does supplement its diet at feeding stations manned by conservation officials.
Males remain fertile till 17 – 18 years of age, females till 10 – 11 years of age.
.
7 – 10 days: Chicks undergo a dietary transformation to solid food.
2 – 4 weeks: Chicks fledge, but are parent-fed.
4 - 6/7 weeks: Chicks remain in the nest. After this the chicks leave the nest.
, and largely carried out by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
(MWF) has resulted in a stable population of about 360 in the wild in 2005 - of which about 75 are located on the small offshore island reserve of Ile aux Aigrettes (source: Vikash Tatayah, MWF Nov 2005) - as well as a healthy captive population as backup. There are more males than females in a population due to greater life expectancy of the male (about 5 years more). The average life expectancy upper bound is estimated at 17 – 18 years.
Endemic (ecology)
Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...
to Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
, and is now very rare. It was on the brink of extinction in 1991 when only 10 individuals remained, but its numbers have increased due to the efforts of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a conservation organisation with a mission to save species from extinction.Gerald Durrell founded the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust as a charitable institution in 1963 with the Dodo as its symbol...
since 1977. The book Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons by Gerald Durrell
Gerald Durrell
Gerald "Gerry" Malcolm Durrell, OBE was a naturalist, zookeeper, conservationist, author and television presenter...
refers to the conservation efforts. The IUCN downlisted the species from critically endangered to endangered on the IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
in 2006. Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
has a series of stamps depicting the endemic Pink Pigeon.
Description
An adult pigeon is about 32 centimetres (12.6 in) from beak to tail and 350 grams in weight. Pink pigeons have pale pink plumage on their head, shoulders and underside, along with pink feet and pink beak. They have dark brown wings, and a broad, reddish-brown tail. They have dark brown eyes surrounded by a ring of red skin.Newly hatched pigeons have sparse, downy-white feathers and closed eyes.
Phylogeny
Initially classified as a true pigeon, it was re-classified in a monotypic genus by Tommaso SalvadoriTommaso Salvadori
Count Adelardo Tommaso Salvadori Paleotti was an Italian zoologist and ornithologist.Salvadori was born in Porto San Giorgio, son of Count Luigi Salvadori and Ethel. He took an early interest in birds and published a catalogue of the birds of Sardinia in 1862...
. Recent DNA analyses suggests its nearest neighbour on the phylogenetic tree is the geographically close Madagascar Turtle Dove (Streptopelia picturata), and has thus been placed in the Streptopelia
Streptopelia
Streptopelia is a genus of birds in the dove family. These are mainly slim, small to medium-sized species. The upperparts tend to be pale brown, and the underparts are often a shade of pink. Many have a characteristic black-and-white patch on the neck, and monotonous cooing songs.The heartland of...
genus, which mostly contains turtle doves. However, the two species form a distinct group that cannot unequivocally be assigned to either Streptopelia or Columba, and indeed, placing the two species in Nesoenas may best reflect the fact that they seem to belong to a distinct evolutionary lineage (Johnson et al., 2001).
Range
It is only found in the Mascarene island of MauritiusMauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
, a related form
Réunion Pink Pigeon
The Réunion Pink Pigeon is an extinct species of pigeon that formerly lived on the Mascarene island of Réunion. It is known from the description of a rusty-red pigeon given by Dubois in 1674 and a single subfossil humerus that agrees with that of the Pink Pigeon of Mauritius in generic...
having become extinct in the neighbouring larger Reunion Island.
On Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
, it is found in patches of forest in the National Park region of the southwest, as well on Ile aux Aigrettes, a nature reserve off the southeast coast of Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
. Further plans for released populations in the east coast mountains are under way.
Habitat
It prefers upland evergreen forests, but is equally at home in coastal forest as long as the vegetation is natural and not smothered by introduced species, such as GuavaGuava
Guavas are plants in the myrtle family genus Psidium , which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America...
or privet. Destruction of these forests have been a major reason for its decline.
Feeding Habits
It feeds on native plants - by consuming buds, flowers, leaves, shoots, fruits and seeds as well as insects. Non-native species like GuavaGuava
Guavas are plants in the myrtle family genus Psidium , which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America...
pose a threat to it by preventing growth of native trees. It does supplement its diet at feeding stations manned by conservation officials.
Breeding Habits
The breeding season starts in August-September, although birds may breed all year round. The male courts the female with a "step and bow" display. Mating is generally monogamous, with the pair making a flimsy platform nest and defending a small area around it (even though the pigeons initially had no natural predators). The female usually lays 2 white eggs, and incubation duration is 2 weeks. The male incubates during the day, and the female during night and early day. They breed very often. They lay 5 to 10 eggs.Males remain fertile till 17 – 18 years of age, females till 10 – 11 years of age.
Rearing Young
1 – 7 days: Chicks eyes closed, fed entirely on crop milkCrop milk
Crop milk is a secretion from the lining of the crop of parent birds that is regurgitated to young birds. They are found among all pigeons and doves where they are referred to as pigeon milk...
.
7 – 10 days: Chicks undergo a dietary transformation to solid food.
2 – 4 weeks: Chicks fledge, but are parent-fed.
4 - 6/7 weeks: Chicks remain in the nest. After this the chicks leave the nest.
Demography and longevity
Due to habitat destruction, and non-native predators, the population had dropped to 10 in 1991. The captive breeding and reintroduction program initiated and supported by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation TrustDurrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is a conservation organisation with a mission to save species from extinction.Gerald Durrell founded the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust as a charitable institution in 1963 with the Dodo as its symbol...
, and largely carried out by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit conservation agency working in Mauritius to save threatened endemic local flora and fauna....
(MWF) has resulted in a stable population of about 360 in the wild in 2005 - of which about 75 are located on the small offshore island reserve of Ile aux Aigrettes (source: Vikash Tatayah, MWF Nov 2005) - as well as a healthy captive population as backup. There are more males than females in a population due to greater life expectancy of the male (about 5 years more). The average life expectancy upper bound is estimated at 17 – 18 years.
